A Noob Shopping: On Right Track?

[MichaelLC]

Hello all. Great site here; giving me a headache sorting all the lingo,

but learning a lot.

Would appreciate some general advice/guidance.

Looking for an e-ring, probably will be buying in next month or so. Cost of $0 prefered

but can go to around US$3,500 or so for stone.

GF has said she'd (and I share belief), would rather have a very good stone rather than a larger one. SO... looking for around .7c, E or F, Round Ideal Cut, and VVS1 or 2. All are GIA or AGS certified.

-Is .7/.71c good for a ring?

-If buying on-line, what are the major points do I need to look for? Specifically, if two stones are identical in 4Cs, but price is different, how do I know it's worth it?

-Are those good "specs"? Too high?

Sorry for a long 1st post. Thanks for your help!

 

[FacetFire]

I'd drop down a little in the specs to get a bit bigger stone. "G" color is really a sweet spot, it will look totally white when set and save you some money. Also, most people on here will agree that VVS is overkill. Many people on here will actually go down to an eyeclean SI1 or SI2 to save money and get a bigger stone. Not everyone is comfortable with that though, but a VS1 or VS2 should be plenty "mindclean" for you and save some money.

Just so you can see...here's a great looking .82 G, SI1 for approx $3,200. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=895807 and here's a beautiful .77 F SI1: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1358841.htm#

Or, if you aren't comfortable with an SI, here's a nice .78 F VS2: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=896874

Good luck with your search!

 

[JulieN]

With 3500 for the stone, I think you''re priced out of E/F VVS1.

I''m personally thinking F VS2/SI1. It''s not going to look any different than the E VVS1. The money can go to the honeymoon or go up to the .8 range.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, I'd go to F VS2 or G VS1 or 2 at least. I personally just bought an H VS1 and as an ideal cut stone, it faces up very white.

Remember to look for GIA excellent cut or AGS0 cut.

Here are a few I like in the .7 - .8 range:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2257/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2258/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2138/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2244/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2245/

 

[MichaelLC]

Thanks for the comments and finds so far.

Color is what bothers me the most, as it''s the most subjective. Will an F still look good against a white gold setting? Definetly right about getting more carbon at that grade.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There are threads here with J color stones in platinum. Here is a photo of two H color stones in natural light that I brought home last week (in ring holders, not settings). But I'll be setting my H in platinum. There would be no worries whatsoever with F, and G should be great, too.

 

[FacetFire]

Yes, an F is VERY white in a white gold setting. A G is even white in a white gold or plat setting. It seems like most people start to see a hint of color around an H or I. But even those, when well cut, will look great in white settings. You definitely don't need to worry about an F though. The average mall jewelry store sells mostly Is or Js (and not very well-cut ones) and puts them in white settings.

If you are really worried about it though, stop in a local store and take a look at some different color graded stones....

 

[kristy_lyn]

You should have her try on rings...

For me, I definately wanted a diameter bigger than 6mm. Anything under that looked too small on my finger - whereas, just over 6 looked good. (Of course, bigger would have been preferred, but, hey - we're on a budget.)

I had roughly the same budget as you, and wound up with a .818 carat, G, VS2. I chose to go up in size, down on color/clarity from what I had originally anticipated. Probably could have got a *little* bigger, but decided to go with a branded H&A cut (WF ACA) - aka, a "Diamonds for Dummies" appraoch - because they choose the ones with the best optical performance.

ETA: I don't see any color in the G, and, I don't see any inclusions. It just looks white and sparkly with some fire here and there.

 

[belle]

if color bothers you, you will want to stay with AGS or GIA graded ''g'' or higher. i think d/e/f is overkill but if you want ''mindclean'' as well as ''eyeclean'' for color, you could stay with the ''f''

 

[Dancing Fire]

i would be very happy with a well cut G VS2-SI1 stone.